[2] The epoline online filing software also allows to file patent applications online with the national patent offices that support it.
This had been confirmed by a Board of Appeal decision in T 514/05 of September 8, 2005, according to which "[a]n appeal filed via epoline [could not] have any legal effect absent explicit permission of the President of the EPO.
"[3] The explicit permission of the President of the EPO has since been provided.
Since March 5, 2009 indeed, documents in all proceedings under the EPC, including opposition, appeal, revocation, limitation and review proceedings,[4] may be filed with the EPO in electronic form, i.e. with the epoline software [5] or, subject to prior approval by the EPO, with other software.
[6] Priority documents however cannot be filed electronically, "unless they have been digitally signed by the issuing authority and the signature is accepted by the European Patent Office.